The Centre has announced a comprehensive compensation package for victims of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) blast in Visakhapatnam. Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy announced that families of each deceased worker will receive ₹25 lakh ex gratia, with the package including permanent employment for one family member and free education for children. As per Business Standard, Kumaraswamy stated that the compensation would be in addition to statutory benefits such as insurance, provident fund, gratuity and other entitlements due to the victims' families. The minister also announced that all treatment expenses of the injured workers would be borne by RINL and declared ₹10 lakh compensation for those who suffered severe injuries. Families of deceased workers will be allowed to continue residing in steel plant quarters until the notional date of superannuation of the deceased employees, with family members residing outside the township offered quarters as per entitlement if they wish.
Eight persons were killed and six injured in an explosion and fire at the Visakhapatnam steel plant of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) on Monday. According to an official statement from the Steel Ministry, the incident occurred around 4.15 pm at SMS-2 and STC-3 heat facility during casting operations. A severe explosion took place when a ladle carrying molten steel at nearly 1,500 degrees Celsius exploded, causing a large quantity of molten steel to leak and triggering panic inside the plant as workers rushed to safety. The blast resulted in eight fatalities while six others were admitted to hospital and are currently undergoing treatment. As per The Hindu, the injured have sustained critical burn injuries ranging from 40% to 90%, with the deceased not immediately identified. According to PSU Watch, the accident occurred after a large quantity of molten steel leaked from a metallurgical ladle at the Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) of the plant, with some reports indicating the Steel Melting Shop-3 (SMS-3) section was also affected. Workers' unions stated it was the first time a ladle blast had happened at the plant, with approximately 150 tonnes of liquid steel present at the time of the accident.
Both the company and government have launched investigations into the accident. As reported by Business Standard, RINL has begun an investigation into the cause of the accident. Separately, a three-member external inquiry committee headed by the director-in-charge of Bokaro Steel Plant, a unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has been tasked with conducting an independent probe. The committee has been appointed by the Steel Ministry to ensure comprehensive investigation of the incident, with the official statement confirming the comprehensive approach to determining the root cause of the explosion. Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma stated that the cause of the accident would be known only after a thorough investigation. Kumaraswamy announced the constitution of a special inquiry committee comprising experts from other steel plants to ascertain the causes behind the accident. The committee members will arrive in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, inspect the site and submit a comprehensive report on the reasons for the mishap and measures required to prevent similar incidents in future.
Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy conducted an on-site inspection of the accident site accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, Vizag MP M Sribharat and Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. According to reports from Business Standard, the minister's visit demonstrates the government's immediate response to the serious industrial accident. The minister has ordered an air-ambulance to needy and is expected to visit the spot on June 9, as confirmed by The Hindu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the mishap and announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. Modi said an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased worker, and ₹50,000 to those injured, adding that local authorities were providing all possible assistance. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound shock over the incident and stated that he has spoken to the concerned officials and directed them to undertake relief measures in coordination with all government departments.
Emergency services deployed massive resources to handle the crisis. As per The Hindu, 10 ambulances were deployed immediately following instructions from the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) and Collector. District Manager of 108 Ambulance Services M. Suresh stated that several victims with severe burn injuries were shifted to premier corporate hospitals in the city, while five ambulances remain stationed at the spot to assist rescue teams. A 24x7 control room has been set up at the Collectorate (phone numbers 0891-2590100 and 2590102) to coordinate with officials and relatives of the victims. Fire tenders and emergency rescue teams from both the steel plant and State departments rushed to the location and worked late into the night under hazardous conditions to douse the flames and rescue the stranded workers. According to PSU Watch, plant authorities activated emergency protocols, fire and rescue teams reached the spot, and the injured, several with severe burns and some in critical condition, were evacuated to hospitals in the city for treatment.
The death toll remained unconfirmed on Monday evening, with accounts varying across sources. According to the Andhra Pradesh Health Department, four people were declared dead at the Visakha Steel General Hospital as of 6.30 pm on June 8, and six injured persons were sent to KIMS Sheela Nagar and Seven Hills hospitals. A total of six casualties were reported and shifted from the Steel Plant General Hospital, with four bodies brought there as of that time. Several media reports put the toll at at least eight, and officials cautioned the number could rise given the condition of the injured. Among the deceased were both company employees and outsourced contract workers. As reported by PSU Watch, YSR Congress Party chief and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed grief over the deaths, demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, and called for strict action against those found responsible. State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha spoke with the Visakhapatnam District Collector and the City Police Commissioner, and instructed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and to speed up rescue and relief efforts.
